The research, on the recent and future impact of climate change on banana producers and exporters, said some countries, including Ecuador (the largest exporter), Honduras and a number of African countries, may see “an overall benefit in crop yields”.

Dr Dan Bebber, senior lecturer in biosciences, who led the study, said: “We’re very concerned about the impact of diseases like Fusarium Wilt on bananas, but the impacts of climate change have been largely ignored.

“There will be winners and losers in coming years, and our study may stimulate vulnerable countries to prepare through investment in technologies like irrigation.

“It is imperative that we invest in preparing tropical agriculture for future climate change.”

Bananas are a key crop for many farmers and make up a large part of international trade for some producing countries. In Costa Rica, it is the second largest agricultural export commodity, said the report.

More than 5bn bananas are purchased each year in Britain, and the UK accounts for 7% of the global export market, said the university.

Dr Varun Varma, research fellow and an author of the study, said: “An open exchange of ideas is going to be critical going forward. We believe practical solutions already exist, but these are scattered across banana-producing countries. This knowledge exchange needs to start now to counteract predicted yield losses due to climate change.”